The MAA provides for an equitable sharing of available waters for all eastward flowing streams that cross interprovincial boundaries, including lakes and serves to protect transboundary aquifers and surface water quality.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Groundwater

Is transboundary groundwater quantity monitored and apportioned by the PPWB?

No, the Master Agreement on
Apportionment has a general statement (Section 6.1) to consider groundwater matters that have
implications affecting transboundary surface and groundwater.
Problems can be referred to the Board who can consider
recommendations. The current Agreement does not outline how
groundwater should be monitored or shared across jurisdictions or
how interjurisdictional issues should be addressed.

The provinces are the primary authorities to manage
groundwater, and are reponsible to manage, protect and allocate
groundwater within the province (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) including monitoring
requirements.

The Committee on
Groundwater and the Board is evaluating
the need for a Schedule F that would provide a framework to address
interjurisdictional groundwater issues. The questions of
groundwater monitoring and apportionment or sharing of water
quantity are being considered.

Do transboundary aquifers have PPWB water quality objectives?

No, the Master Agreement on
Apportionment has a general statement (Section 6.1) to consider groundwater matters that have
implications affecting transboundary surface and groundwater.
Problems can be referred to the Board who can consider
recommendations. The current Agreement does not outline how
groundwater should be monitored or shared across jurisdictions or
how interjurisdictional issues should be addressed.

The provinces are the
primary authorities to manage groundwater, and are reponsible to
manage and protect groundwater quality within the province
(Alberta,
Saskatchewan, Manitoba). Provincial drinking water guidelines
apply to both surface and groundwater water
supplies.

The Committee on
Groundwater and the Board is evaluating
the need for a Schedule F that would provide a framework to address
interjurisdictional groundwater issues. The questions of
groundwater monitoring and groundwater quality objectives or
targets are being considered.